Number 18 in the books, Williams targets next grand slam

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Serena Williams allowed herself a moment to savor a third straight U.S. Open win on Sunday, but only a moment.

Just three hours after securing her 18th grand slam title with a dominating 6-3 6-3 win over Denmark's Caroline Wozniacki, the world number one soaked up the accolades and applause and then admitted that she was already thinking about number 19 and third spot on the all-time list now held by Helen Wills Moody.

"I am thinking 19," said Williams, who shares fourth on the list with Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova. "Hasn't even been three hours and I have already mentioned 19. Oh, gosh, but not 22.

"I'm taking it one at a time."

Williams will celebrate her 33rd birthday later this month and clearly has plans to celebrate many more grand slam titles as she climbs further-and-further up the rankings.

Moody, at number 19, is the next target but just ahead sits Steffi Graf on 22 and just ahead her is the great Margaret Court who tops the list with 24.

Until Sunday it did not look as if Williams would add to her grand slam haul this season.

She had added five tournament titles to her collection this season, coming into the U.S. Open with her career total at 62, but at the grand slams she had fallen flat, failing to get beyond the last 16 in any of the first three majors.
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